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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Breakup and birthday

8 replies

heartbreak84 · 05/06/2024 22:49

Myself and my ex have had a very up and down few months, probably more off than on. The stupid thing is that I have zero doubts that we both love each other very much but there was too many other things going on which caused the breakdown of our relationship including mental health issues from both sides.

When he was angry he would tell me anything that he knew would hurt me. I was never a priority in his life. He told me he thought of my children as his own but was never there to support them when they had things on (yet would always say that he treated my children like if they were his own. Rather than communicate he would block me out for days and days until I caved and contacted him first (though I always felt the original argument was blown up from nothing, and I often couldn't even say what the argument was about. He'd get upset about something, kick me out of his house and refuse to talk to me for days without me understanding what the argument was about.

This was the tip of the iceberg. Yet despite a long time of this I love him so much. There were many good times too, but he had big problems with his mental health that he wouldn't accept which would cause what I believe to be unreasonable behaviour.

Every time we would argue be would delete me from social media and then block me for a few days. This time I have blocked him and have no intention of undoing that. I know that the relationship played a massive role in my poor mental health (since the start of the relationship I have started on antidepressants though he doesn't believe there is any connection there).

The more I am typing, the more angry I am at myself. My children think the world of him. They know it is his birthday this weekend. They have never seen any of the negative behaviour (which makes me realise he was able to control it but chose not to). They have asked to send him a card (they know we have separated but don't know the detsils, they're too young). I have agreed to that and have them ready to post. My question is should I add a note or a card in as well? I know he is hurting a lot, and I know his poor mental health caused by his childhood is behind the issues which makes me sympathise. I'm pretty sure I know the answer but I'm feeling very broken and vulnerable tonight. I am missing him so much, but know that I can never go back as the negatives will always be there.

Please be kind in your responses, I am feeling very fragile at the moment. Thank you.

OP posts:
Roxit · 05/06/2024 22:51

Oh my goodness this sounds so
toxic. I’d offer to post the card and then throw it in the bin. DO not engage with this person any further.

Maybe some other people can give some advice on how to gently break it to your children that he’s a bad person.

Please don’t expose your children to anyone else like this again.

AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2024 00:53

@heartbreak84

I wouldn't have agreed for them to send cards in the first place. But water under the bridge so I must agree with @Roxit . Bin the cards, keep shtum.

You want this man OUT of your life and the best way to do that is to simply drop off the radar, go NC, block him, whatever you want to call it. And that goes for your children, too. You can explain to them that you and he have ended it (give whatever reason you choose age appropriately) and it has been decided that it's best for all if the split is complete. Tell them it's OK to be sad, but that life will go on and there will be other friends in their lives.

And open your ears and hear me LOVE. IS. NOT. ENOUGH. You can love someone to distraction but that doesn't mean they are right or good for you. And based on what you've said of his behaviour, he is NOT good for you, nor for your mental health.

heartbreak84 · 06/06/2024 01:17

I agree it is very toxic but I didn't intentionally expose my children to this situation. If he had been like this at the start of our relationship and before he had met my children, they would never have met. We had been together for a considerable time before they had met. Things got worse over time. It has taken me a long time to get to the point where I am now able to remove him completely from my life without any doubts, though that doesn't make it easier. My children have not seen him in person for a few months, and it is definitely something that won't happen ever again. I hadn't considered binning the cards. I was just hoping that over time the contact (it is now over text with them) would fizzle out which would be easier on the children than telling them not to contact him again.

OP posts:
SunflowerTed · 06/06/2024 02:29

Keep blocked and move on. He is very bad for you and your family! A manipulative mood Hoover is never a good partner!!

NetMum2 · 06/06/2024 03:43

If you send the card it’s opening communication with him. I’d definitely bin it and if your children ask about it, just say you’re sure he would have liked it and how they’re very kind and thoughtful. For the sake of your own mental health you need to keep him blocked and keep yourself busy too as a distraction from him.

Newestname002 · 06/06/2024 03:59

@heartbreak84

I hadn't considered binning the cards. I was just hoping that over time the contact (it is now over text with them) would fizzle out which would be easier on the children than telling them not to contact him again.

Another voice saying to bin the cards. Not in your bin though - rip them up and put in a public bin, or in your work bin if you were re out of the home.

Also is he still in contact with your children via text? I would put a stop to that if he is - block and delete from their phones if this is the case. How old are your children? 🌹

heartbreak84 · 06/06/2024 06:00

My children are 7 and 10. Yes, they're in contact via text with him. He only messages them when they text him first and it is usually around once a week and I always keep an eye on their messages. I just hoped that they'd stop over time (out of sight out of mind) rather than hurt them by telling them to stop. I'd rather they just thought the relationship ended naturally instead of them being upset knowing any more. They have never seen his negative side at all.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 06/06/2024 15:14

@heartbreak84

I wasn't implying criticism of you. There are men who 'wear a mask' and show only what they want you to see. The problem is that they aren't able to keep that mask on forever. Eventually it slips and the 'real man' starts to show. That may be what he's like and it's not your fault you were deceived.

As far as the DC go, I'd tell him that since your relationship is over it is not proper for him to text them anymore. Then I'd block him on their phones (and mine).

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